The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (6286) Private Francis James Inglis, 6th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (6286) Private Francis James Inglis, 6th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

6286 Private Francis James Inglis, 6th Battalion, AIF
KIA 5 June 1918
Photograph: DA15964

Story delivered 22 November 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Francis James Inglis.

Born in Naracoorte in South Australia, Francis Inglis was educated in Port Pirie and later became an apprentice blacksmith. However, he found his calling as a Salvation Army officer and was leading the Army Corps in Ararat, Victoria, when the First World War began.

Initially, 36-year-old Inglis and his wife, Florence, became involved in local patriotic and recruiting movements, urging young men to enlist. However, according to the local newspaper, “when he saw that voluntary enlistment was not meeting with the success he hoped for, he enlisted himself” in June 1916.

Inglis was assigned to the 6th Battalion, which – along with the 5th, 7th, and 8th Battalions – formed the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Australian Division. He left Australia with his battalion in September 1916 on board HMAT Euripides, bound for England, and spent almost two months there in training before embarking for France just days before Christmas. Inglis and fellow reinforcements joined the 6th Battalion in early January 1917, during the freezing Somme winter.

In 1917 the 6th Battalion participated in the operations that followed up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, and then returned to Belgium to join the great offensive launched to the east of Ypres. Among the battles the battalion took part in were those at Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, and Passchendaele.

In late March Inglis was injured in an accident, receiving burns to his face and neck. He spent about a month recovering, and returned to his battalion in mid-May.

On 5 June the 6th Battalion was back in the front line near Strazeele in northern France. The unit’s diary records heavy barrage fire, “especially on supports and lines of communication”. During the night the Germans mixed gas attacks with high explosives, and artillery fire increased. At some point during it all Private Inglis was killed in action. He was buried at La Kreule Military Cemetery in Hazebrouck, France. He was 38 years old.

Private Francis Inglis’ death was a great loss to the Ararat community. An obituary published in the local newspaper read:

Ensign Inglis was one of the most popular officers of the Salvation Army stationed in Ararat, and his fine generous and frank spirit won the regard of all who knew him … he died as he lived, a manly upright and God fearing soldier.

Private Francis Inglis is commemorated on the Roll of Honour on my right, among the more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Francis James Inglis, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Emma Campbell
Writer, Military History Section